March

We encourage you to participate in the XII Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine which will be held in Punta del Este (Uruguay), in 2013.

Following the tradition of the previous successful symposium series, in the XII edition we would like to promote a good atmosphere where the researchers from all over the world will have the opportunity to share their work, exchange knowledge, strengthen productive collaborations and discuss all issues related to the role of metal ions in biology and medicine. As you can see in the web page of the symposium (www.metal-ions2013.com) the main topics are: Advanced analytical methods for metal ions in biochemical and biological systems, Metal ions in environmental health, Toxicological effects of metal ions in biological systems, Metal based drugs, Nutritional aspects of trace and major elements and Structural Biology of Metalloproteins. We are pleased to inform you that the deadline for the early registrations fees to participate in the Symposium has been extended until 31st November, 2012.

Other important dates are:December 3rd, 2012
- Proceeding submission deadline December 3rd, 2012
- Abstract submission deadline for poster presentation. Abstracts received after this date may not appear in the Abstracts Book. December 15th, 2012
- For those who have submitted abstracts all registration fees must be paid before December 15th, 2012. Please fill the "Registration Form"Looking forward to welcoming you in Uruguay in March 2013,

People do not always think of soils when thinking about health, but there are
many ties between soils and human health. This session seeks to present current
research being conducted in soils and human health as well as defining future
research needs. These impacts of soils on human health can also include
interactions between soils and other natural systems such as the hydrosphere,
atmosphere, and biosphere. This session will take place at the 2013 European
Geosciences Union meetings April 7-12. The session is interdisciplinary and is co-
listed in Soil System Sciences (SSS7.2), Atmospheric Sciences (AS4.15),
Biogeosciences (BG2.20), Climate: Past, Present, Future (CL2.8), and Natural
Hazards (NH8.4).

May

Fifth International Congress of the FESTEM - Avignon May 22-24 2013 . Bridging between new advances and public health systems.

The Federation of the European Societies for Trace Elements and Mineral (FESTEM) together with the French Society for Trace Elements and Minerals (SFERETE) are proud to inform you they will organise their fifth congress in Avignon from May 22nd to 24th, 2013.

You will find extensive information about these three days in the FESTEM Website.

Please note that two deadlines are coming fast:- Abstracts should be submitted before November 1st, 2012. - Registration fees will increase on December1st, 2012

American Geophysical Union, May 14-17, Cancun Mecico

A session will be offered on Healt hazard minerals: Asbestos and erionite. Held by Meral and Umran Dogan

Effective mitigation techniques for active mines may require new approaches to mine design, improved methods of mine backfill, better design and analysis of ground support systems and early identification of potential failure modes. In the case of abandoned mines, major impacts may include – acid mine drainage (AMD), loss of productive land, visual effects, surface and groundwater pollution, soil contamination, siltation, contamination of aquatic sediments and fauna, and so on. Thankfully, techniques in mitigation and rehabilitation have significantly improved since the beginning of the 1990’s, largely due to the recognition of national legislation processes, general technological advancement, and the efforts of Sub-Saharan African Governments in supporting the mining industry.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the Workshop would be to show how advances in technology combined with sound environmental management practices can contribute towards minimisation of on- and off-site environmental impacts, and hence preserve the health of agro-ecosystems and the surrounding communities who are dependent on these systems. In Yaounde, we would demonstrate and review the role of technological developments in addressing subjects such as ‘combating AMD’, revegetation, phytostabilisation, the role of microbial activity in remediation, radon mitigation techniques, optimisation of energy use, and so on. We envisage synthesising the results of researchers of Project 606 and our sister Project 594 on these subjects, and see how we could integrate these into what has already been achieved, in addressing the issues further.

PARTICIPANTS AND AUDIENCE: The Workshop would serve as a forum where representatives from universities (including graduate students), mining institutions and policy makers from the major mining countries in Sub-Saharan Africa would exchange ideas on the Workshop’s specific theme (mitigation, rehabilitation and environmental health), as well as explore the best ways of attaining the longer-term objectives of the project. The event would also serve as a catalyst for the development of new collaborations and research interactions. We are also planning an effective outreach and dissemination programme with the East Cameroon community. Expected delegates would come from: Angola; Botswana; Cameroon; Czech Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia; the Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Republic of Guinea; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Lesoyho, Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Rwanda; the Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; U.K.; U.S.A.; South Africa; Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe and others.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: The scientific programme committee of the Third Workshop would continue to seek proposals and abstracts (half to three quarters of A4 size page; font size, 11 pt.; with 5 or 6 keywords) on the above-stated theme (and related topics within the broader project framework), from potential delegates and other interested contributors from Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, during the months of April and May, 2013, in putting together the scientific programme for the Workshop. The closing date for the receipt of all abstracts/proposals (to be sent to: theo.clavellpr3@gmail.com; daviestc@mut.ac.za; bohdan.kribek@geology.cz) is 31 May, 2013.

Authors who send in proposals/abstracts of the highest quality would be requested to consider developing their manuscripts for submission and review to: the Editors of the proposed ‘Special Issue’ of the Journal of Geochemical Exploration (JGE), on the theme of “Environmental Health Impacts of Mining in Africa”.

July

Sustainability of Health & Health Care Systems

The Geography Department at Michigan State University invites you to the 15th International Medical Geography Symposium (IMGS 2013) on our campus in East Lansing, Michigan. Come for a fun and productive symposium. Plenary, paper, and poster sessions will be held in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on campus. Our field trip includes a visit to the sand dunes from the glacial period and beach picnic on the shores of Lake Michigan. We have two international airports for your convenience – Detroit Metro, MI and Chicago O'Hare, IL with connecting transportation to East Lansing. Michigan State University is one of the oldest Land Grant Universities in the United States and the architecture and campus provides a beautiful setting for the upcoming symposium. Our 32 geography faculty and 175+ graduate and undergraduate students are eager to welcome you to the upcoming IMGS! http://www.geo.msu.edu/imgs/index.php

15th International Clay Conference will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 7-11th July 2013.

The XV ICC follows a tradition that dates back to 1950, when the Comité Internationale Pour l'Etude des Argiles (CIPEA) meetings were held every two years. In 1963, during the first International Clay Conference in Stockholm (Sweden), CIPEA became an international association affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), the Association Internationale pour l'Etude des Argiles, AIPEA. In a friendly and informal atmosphere, the opportunityof a full overview on topics related to clay minerals will be offered, including advanced methodologies, leading-edge technologies as well as the most updated applications. The XV ICC aims at the exchange of ideas, experience and knowledge from members of both, academia and industry, fulfilling AIPEA’s objective: to promote international co-operation in clay research and technology.http://www.15icc.org/

The Geology and Health Division has contracted with the Hilton Crystal City Hotel to
host the 2013 IMGA conference. The hotel, near Reagan National Airport, Arlington,
Virginia, is only minutes away from Washington D.C. by Metro (walking distance from
the hotel) or by car.
The conference will begin on Sunday, August 25, 2013 with short courses/workshops
and an Ice Breaker. The conference will commence on Monday, August 26th with a
plenary session, technical sessions will conclude on Thursday August 29th .
Stay tuned for additional developments. Questions may be directed to Bob Finkelman
(bobf@utdallas.edu). We look forward to seeing you there.

This symposium is organized by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Working Group on Health in collaboration with the 5th International Conference on Medical Geology (MEDGEO 2013).

The symposium will focus on the “state of the science” relative to advances and trends in the application of Earth-observing and geospatial technologies for health, with special emphasis on understanding how environmental factors (e.g., geology, climate) influence the occurrence of disease, and on decision support information needed to manage health risks and improve the public health. I encourage your attendance and participation at this symposium.

Please also take a moment to visit the ISPRS Working Group on Health and consider joining this group. The working group is a volunteer effort and there is no fee to become a member. Please visit the ISPRS membership page for more information on the Society.

MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN AFRICA 2013:
University of Johannesburg, South Africa during the 1st week of October 2013.

This meeting will consist of 2 days short course on Medical Geology aspects followed by 1 to 2 days presenta-tions (oral/posters). The 1st circular will be sent out early 2013. All members of IMGA who are interested in the development of Medical Geology in Africa are welcome to contribute and join us in our 1st special gather-ing in South Africa. Further information can be obtained by contacting Hassina Mouri at: hmouri@uj.ac.za
We look forward to welcoming IMGA members @ “Medical Geology in South Africa first meeting in 2013 and @ IMA2014 – South Africa”.

Our science, our societal impact, and our unique thought processes looking at how far we have come in the last 50 years and predicting future advances.

There are plenty of good reasons to join your colleagues at any GSA Annual Meeting, but this year affords a special opportunity to reflect on how GSA and its members are building upon the Society’s long tradition of achievements and laying the groundwork for future generations of geoscientists.

Weblink: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/events/bioavailabilityWorkshop/
Contact: Cbio7@bgs.ac.uk.
On behalf of the International Organising Committee, the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Nottingham University invite everyone to discuss and exchange new and emerging scientific breakthroughs in chemical bioavailability This conference series is emerging as a premier event for highlighting cutting-edge research in chemical bioavailability in the environment. The workshop will provide the opportunity for delegates to ex-change knowledge and experience, and to further develop a common view on contaminant bioavailability.